Employment History

DeHart's Red Apple Market

Q104

Education

bachelor's degree
,
mathematics

Moving to Klickitat County in 1988 wasn't a career-based move for Larry Gourley.But the government experience he's gained since then, he said, has indeed prepared him for a new position: county auditor. Gourley, a Republican candidate, said he is ready to tackle the auditor role with county government experience backing him and a few changes in mind.He's worked for almost five years in the Klickitat County Auditor's Office, he said.The Tacoma-born candidate moved to property north of Goldendale in 1988 with his wife, Monica, and two sons, Jeff and Paul.His daughter Becky was born after the family moved to the area.Before graduating in 1980 from Evergreen State College in Olympia with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, Gourley was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force as a staff sergeant.In the Puget Sound area, Gourley worked in a variety of positions in the technology industry, including customer service, technical writing and electrical engineering.After his family moved to the Goldendale area, Gourley worked for seven years at DeHart's Red Apple Market, managing the store's computer system and serving as an assistant manager.For a short period of time, Gourley also worked at radio station Q104, first as a disc jockey and then as a news reporter on a contract basis.In 1997, Gourley made the move to county government when he was hired on as a deputy auditor.Gourley worked with vehicle licensing, recording and records, also learning about other aspects of the office, he said.Last fall, Gourley was selected as the clerk of the board when the position was moved from the auditor's office to the commissioner's office. "I really enjoy my job on the staff of the county commissioners," Gourley said, adding that he sees the auditor position, "as a chance to serve the citizens in a more significant way."Gourley said that his management experience would enable him to operate the department efficiently and energetically.He'd like to extend the office's hours, opening at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. for greater public accessibility. "I just want a smoothly run department," he said."There's some really talented people in that office."If elected in November, Gourley said he would strive for cooperation with other county officials.He believes he has gained the respect of the commissioners."It [county auditor] is an elected position; it's an independent position.It has to remain independent," Gourley said."I just have a reputation for being fair and I would choose cooperation over confrontation if at all possible."One result of this cooperation, Gourley hopes, would be to support the commissioners in obtaining more funds for the county's economic and community development.Working with involved county officials, he would develop procedures to streamline the process of allocating landfill dollars, he said.

Moving to Klickitat County in 1988 wasn't a career-based move for Larry Gourley.But the government experience he's gained since then, he said, has indeed prepared him for a new position: county auditor. Gourley, a Republican candidate, said he is ready to tackle the auditor role with county government experience backing him and a few changes in mind.He's worked for almost five years in the Klickitat County Auditor's Office, he said.The Tacoma-born candidate moved to property north of Goldendale in 1988 with his wife, Monica, and two sons, Jeff and Paul.His daughter Becky was born after the family moved to the area.Before graduating in 1980 from Evergreen State College in Olympia with a bachelor's degree in mathematics, Gourley was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force as a staff sergeant.In the Puget Sound area, Gourley worked in a variety of positions in the technology industry, including customer service, technical writing and electrical engineering.After his family moved to the Goldendale area, Gourley worked for seven years at DeHart's Red Apple Market, managing the store's computer system and serving as an assistant manager.For a short period of time, Gourley also worked at radio station Q104, first as a disc jockey and then as a news reporter on a contract basis.In 1997, Gourley made the move to county government when he was hired on as a deputy auditor.Gourley worked with vehicle licensing, recording and records, also learning about other aspects of the office, he said.Last fall, Gourley was selected as the clerk of the board when the position was moved from the auditor's office to the commissioner's office. "I really enjoy my job on the staff of the county commissioners," Gourley said, adding that he sees the auditor position, "as a chance to serve the citizens in a more significant way."Gourley said that his management experience would enable him to operate the department efficiently and energetically.He'd like to extend the office's hours, opening at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. for greater public accessibility. "I just want a smoothly run department," he said."There's some really talented people in that office."If elected in November, Gourley said he would strive for cooperation with other county officials.He believes he has gained the respect of the commissioners."It [county auditor] is an elected position; it's an independent position.It has to remain independent," Gourley said."I just have a reputation for being fair and I would choose cooperation over confrontation if at all possible."One result of this cooperation, Gourley hopes, would be to support the commissioners in obtaining more funds for the county's economic and community development.Working with involved county officials, he would develop procedures to streamline the process of allocating landfill dollars, he said.